Encomium
Many had lamented the below-par films churned out virtually daily in Nigeria’s motion picture industry, Nollywood; but in 2014, the industry made giant strides forward!
Better quality films, with imaginative stories were produced, casting was improved, more attention was paid to the post-production and most of all, the movies became box office hits, some reaching the heights of America’s Hollywood movies.
At the last count, Nollywood movies showing in cinemas across the country had grossed over N1 billion – a huge leap from the paltry total of the past!
30 DAYS IN ATLANTA (N182 million)
This romantic comedy flick was produced by ace comedian, Ayo Makun and directed by Robert Peters. It was shot on locations in Lagos (Nigeria) and Atlanta (Georgia, USA). Since its premiere in October last year, the movie has gone on to gross a whooping N182 million! It is the highest grossing Nigerian film of all time in Nigerian cinemas. The movie stars A-listers such as Ayo Makun (AY), some of Nollywood’s finest, Ramsey Nouah, Richard Mofe Damijo, Desmond Elliot, Mercy Johnson, Majid Michel, Omoni Oboli, Racheal Oniga, Yemi Blaq, Juliet Ibrahim with Vivica A. Fox, Lynn Whitfield and Karlie Redd. It is predicted to hit the $1,000,000 (N194 million) mark when the run is complete.
HALF OF A YELLOW SUN(N80 million)
Half of a Yellow Sun is a 2013 historical drama film directed by Biyi Bandele. It is based on the novel of the same name by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. The film is a love story that follows two sisters who are caught up in the outbreak of the Nigerian civil war.
It stars British-Nigerian BAFTA award winner and Oscar nominee, Chiwetel Ejiofor; BAFTA award winner, Thandie Newton as well as the iconic Onyeka Onwenu, Anika Noni Rose, Genevieve Nnaji, OC Ukeje and John Boyega. The film premiered in the special presentation section at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and has grossed over N80 million in the cinemas since its April 2014 premiere.
FINDING FELA (N20 million)
Finding Fela tells the story of the legendary Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s life, his music, his social and political importance. Using the musical movement (Afrobeat) as a forum to express his revolutionary political opinions against the dictatorial Nigerian governments of the 1970s and 1980s. His influence helped bring a change towards democracy in Nigeria and promoted pan-Africanist politics to the world. The power and potency of Fela’s message is completely current today and is expressed in the political movements of oppressed people, embracing Fela’s music and message in their struggle for freedom. Finding Fela was directed by the Academy Award (Oscars) winning director, Alex Gibney.
OCTOBER 1 (N60 million)
This dark psychological thriller was written by Tunde Babalola; produced and directed by Kunle Afolayan. It stars Sadiq Daba, Kayode Olaiya, David Bailie, Kehinde Bankole, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Fabian Adeoye Lojede, Nick Rhys, Kunle Afolayan, Femi Adebayo, Bimbo Manuel, Ibrahim Chatta and introducing Demola Adedoyin and Deola Sagoe. The film which is set in colonial Nigeria, narrates the story of Danladi Waziri (Sadiq Daba), a police officer from Northern Nigeria who is posted to a remote town of Akote in Western Nigeria to investigate the frequent female murder cases in the community, and have the mystery solved before the Nigerian flag is raised on October 1 (Nigeria’s Independence Day). It was shot in Lagos and Ondo states using RED cameras, after four months of preproduction.
The movie was premiered in September 2014. It was met with positive critical reception, mostly praised for its production design, cinematography and its exploration of powerful themes; which include tribalism, western imperialism, paedophilia, homosexuality, Nigeria’s unification, and also establishing a strong connection between Western culture and the cause of present day Boko Haram insurgency.
A PLACE IN THE STARS (N30 million)
This 2014 crime thriller film was written by Ita Hozaife and J.K. Amalou. It was co-produced and directed by Steve Gukas. The movie stars Gideon Okeke (lead), Segun Arinze, Matilda Obaseki, Yemi Blaq, Femi Branch and Dejumo Lewis. The film was inspired by the tenure of late Professor Dora Akunyili as the Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). The film is set in 2006, and narrates the story of Kim Dakim (Gideon Okeke), a young lawyer who has information about the trafficking of counterfeit drugs and stands to make millions of dollars if he doesn’t pass on the information.
However, the drug baron, Diokpa Okonkwo (Segun Arinze) is ready to kill in order protect his thriving illegal trade and Kim has him to contend with, while battling with his conscience and everything he has been raised to believe is right.
MICHAEL NWOKIKE
